Greece's labour minister says the format of talks between the government and rescue lenders is still being worked out - confirming a delay in the negotiations for a third international bailout.

Giorgos Katrougalos told private Skai television that the pre-negotiation discussions were still ongoing.

Bailout negotiators from the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund had been due to start arriving in Athens last Friday to start talks for the new rescue package worth an expected €85 billion.

But late Saturday, a government official said talks at a "technical level" were now set to start next Tuesday. The official asked not to be named because the negotiations were ongoing.